United Nation, (PTI), Feb. 04: As the United Nations Security Council holds a crucial meeting tomorrow, which could make a difference between war and peace, Iraqi Ambassador Mohammed Aldouri is expected to address the Council after US Secretary of State Colin Powell presents "new evidence" on Baghdad's weapons programmes.

New York, (PTI), Feb. 04: US space agency NASA removed five members of a nine-person panel and two of its consultants after they warned it last year that its shuttles faced safety troubles and urged an increase in the budget to correct the problem

Cuddalore, Feb. 03: P Nedumaran, leader of the Tamil National Movement (TNM) was today removed from the central jail in Cuddalore to the intensive care unit of the government hospital after he complained of stomach disorder and giddiness.

The Island: Prominent opposition members yesterday expressed doubt about the Prime Minister’s statement in parliament last week that he would formalise discussions with opposition party leaders on the peace talks.

Bangkok, Feb. 04: Illegal Burmese workers, anti-narcotics measures and tourism will be high on the agenda during the upcoming visit to Burma by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai said yesterday.

Bangkok, Feb. 3 (TNA): Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai on Monday assured the safety of his Cambodian counterpart Hor Num Hong, who is scheduled to visit Thailand tomorrow, according to local T.V. and radio news reports.

Phrae, Thailand, Feb. 3, (TNA): The governor of Phrae Province today struck a blow in the government’s war against drugs by leading a team of 50 police officers to destroy 20 rai of opium fields on the Phrae-Nan border.

Washington, (PTI), Feb. 03: As the investigators scrutinised from the final bits of data from the sky to the tiniest fragments on the ground of space shuttle Columbia, preliminary investigations showed it experienced an unusual and sudden rise in temperature in its fuselage minutes before it disintegrated.

New Delhi, (PTI), Feb. 03: President A P J Abdul Kalam on Monday said the Columbia space shuttle mishap will not deter space scientists from their urge to explore and ultimately man will one day land on Mars.

In response to the New Light of Myanmar, 30 January, reporting the three townships across the Thai border was rid of the poppy cultivation in the 2002-2003 season, both Lahu and Shan sources maintained the reality was entirely the other way round.

Bangkok, Feb 4 (TNA): Visiting Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Num Hong pledged here on Tuesday that the Cambodian government would take responsibility for all damages to the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh, caused by a riot last week, but would consider conpensation claims of private businesses which were also damaged by the riot, according to a T.V. news report.